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Code of Conduct

Sensei Chelle Self Defence
Last Updated: 23rd October 2025
Review Date: 23rd October 2026

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Purpose

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This Code of Conduct sets out the standards of behaviour expected from all instructors, staff, volunteers, and participants at Sensei Chelle Self Defence. It ensures a safe, respectful, inclusive, and professional environment for everyone.

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Scope

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This Code applies to:

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  • All instructors and assistant instructors

  • Directors and management

  • Volunteers and helpers

  • All participants (adults, young adults, and minors)

  • Parents and guardians attending sessions

  • Visitors and observers

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It applies during:

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  • All training sessions (regular courses, practice sessions, private courses, workshops)

  • Online communication related to our activities

  • Events, demonstrations, and public appearances

  • Any situation where you are representing Sensei Chelle Self Defence

 

PART A: Code of Conduct for Instructors and Staff

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1. Professional Standards

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Instructors and staff must:

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  • Maintain high standards of instruction and professionalism at all times

  • Arrive punctually and be fully prepared for sessions

  • Dress appropriately in clean, professional training attire

  • Maintain current qualifications (Black Belt minimum, Enhanced DBS, safeguarding, first aid)

  • Engage in continuous professional development

  • Follow all organisational policies and procedures

  • Act as positive role models for participants

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Instructors and staff must NOT:

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  • Attend sessions under the influence of alcohol or drugs

  • Use inappropriate language, including swearing or discriminatory terms

  • Discuss personal problems or inappropriate topics with participants

  • Use their position for personal gain or advantage

  • Bring the organisation into disrepute through their conduct

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2. Safeguarding and Child Protection

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Instructors and staff must:

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  • Prioritise the safety and wellbeing of all participants, especially children and vulnerable adults

  • Follow the Safeguarding Policy at all times

  • Report any safeguarding concerns immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead

  • Maintain appropriate boundaries with all participants

  • Ensure supervision ratios are maintained (12:1 for under-18s, 30:1 for adults)

  • Obtain parental consent before any physical contact with minors

  • Keep all communication with minors transparent and through official channels only

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Instructors and staff must NOT:

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  • Be alone with a minor in a private or unobserved space

  • Contact minors through personal social media or private messaging

  • Share personal contact details with minors

  • Transport minors in personal vehicles

  • Form inappropriate relationships with participants

  • Show favouritism or single out individuals for negative attention

  • Ignore or fail to report safeguarding concerns

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3. Respect and Equality

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Instructors and staff must:

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  • Follow the Equality & Diversity Policy

  • Treat all participants with dignity, respect, and fairness

  • Promote an inclusive environment for all women and girls

  • Respect diversity and individual differences

  • Make reasonable adjustments for participants with disabilities or additional needs

  • Use inclusive, respectful language at all times

  • Challenge discrimination, bullying, or harassment when witnessed

  • Be culturally sensitive and aware

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Instructors and staff must NOT:

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  • Discriminate based on age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any protected characteristic

  • Make jokes or comments that could be offensive or discriminatory

  • Tolerate bullying, harassment, or exclusionary behaviour

  • Show bias or prejudice in teaching or interactions

  • Make assumptions about participants' abilities or backgrounds

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4. Health and Safety

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Instructors and staff must:

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  • Follow the Health & Safety Policy and Emergency Action Plan

  • Conduct risk assessments before sessions

  • Ensure venues are safe and suitable

  • Check participants have completed health questionnaires

  • Monitor participants for signs of distress, fatigue, or injury

  • Stop activities immediately if safety is compromised

  • Report all incidents, near misses, and hazards

  • Maintain first aid certification (at least one instructor per session)

  • Keep first aid kit accessible and in-date

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Instructors and staff must NOT:

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  • Conduct sessions in unsafe environments

  • Push participants beyond safe limits

  • Ignore signs of injury or distress

  • Fail to report incidents or hazards

  • Allow unsafe practices or horseplay

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5. Teaching and Instruction

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Instructors and staff must:

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  • Deliver high-quality, evidence-based instruction

  • Tailor teaching to the age, ability, and needs of participants

  • Provide clear explanations and demonstrations

  • Give constructive, supportive feedback

  • Encourage questions and create a safe learning environment

  • Adapt techniques for participants with injuries or limitations

  • Focus on awareness, confidence, and practical self-defence skills

  • Use trauma-informed teaching approaches

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Instructors and staff must NOT:

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  • Humiliate, ridicule, or shame participants

  • Use excessive force or demonstrate techniques unsafely

  • Teach techniques beyond participants' skill level without proper progression

  • Make participants feel inadequate or incapable

  • Rush through important safety information

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6. Communication and Confidentiality

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Instructors and staff must:

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  • Communicate clearly, professionally, and respectfully

  • Respond to enquiries promptly and courteously

  • Maintain confidentiality of participant information

  • Follow GDPR and data protection requirements

  • Use official communication channels only

  • Report concerns through proper channels

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Instructors and staff must NOT:

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  • Share participant personal information without consent

  • Discuss participants or incidents on social media

  • Use personal social media to contact participants (especially minors)

  • Gossip about participants, colleagues, or the organisation

  • Make public statements on behalf of the organisation without authorisation

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7. Boundaries and Relationships

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Instructors and staff must:

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  • Maintain professional boundaries at all times

  • Keep relationships with participants professional

  • Declare any conflicts of interest

  • Avoid situations that could be misinterpreted

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Instructors and staff must NOT:

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  • Develop romantic or sexual relationships with participants

  • Accept or offer inappropriate gifts

  • Meet participants outside of official sessions without proper reason and transparency

  • Engage in behaviour that could be perceived as grooming

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PART B: Code of Conduct for Participants

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1. Respect and Behaviour

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Participants must:

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  • Treat instructors, staff, and fellow participants with respect

  • Listen attentively during instruction

  • Follow instructions promptly and safely

  • Be supportive and encouraging to others

  • Respect personal space and boundaries

  • Use appropriate language at all times

  • Arrive on time and ready to participate

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Participants must NOT:

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  • Bully, harass, or intimidate others

  • Use discriminatory, offensive, or abusive language

  • Disrupt sessions or distract others

  • Show disrespect to instructors or fellow participants

  • Engage in gossip or negative talk about others

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2. Safety and Wellbeing

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Participants must:

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  • Complete health questionnaires honestly and fully

  • Inform instructors of any injuries, health conditions, or concerns

  • Wear appropriate clothing and remove jewellery as instructed

  • Follow all safety instructions

  • Work within their own abilities and limitations

  • Stop immediately if instructed or if feeling unwell

  • Report any injuries, hazards, or concerns to instructors

  • Practice techniques only as instructed

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Participants must NOT:

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  • Attend sessions under the influence of alcohol or drugs

  • Practice techniques outside of instruction without supervision

  • Use excessive force with training partners

  • Ignore safety instructions or warnings

  • Conceal injuries or health issues from instructors

  • Engage in horseplay or unsafe behaviour

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3. Training Environment

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Participants must:

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  • Maintain good personal hygiene

  • Keep training areas clean and tidy

  • Respect venue facilities and equipment

  • Turn mobile phones to silent during sessions

  • Focus on learning and participating fully

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Participants must NOT:

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  • Use mobile phones during instruction (except emergencies)

  • Eat or drink (except water) during sessions

  • Damage or misuse equipment or facilities

  • Leave litter or personal belongings in training areas

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4. Confidentiality and Privacy

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Participants must:

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  • Respect the privacy of others

  • Keep personal information shared in sessions confidential

  • Ask permission before taking photos or videos

  • Follow social media guidelines

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Participants must NOT:

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  • Share personal information about other participants

  • Record sessions without explicit permission

  • Post photos or videos of others on social media without consent

  • Discuss sensitive topics shared in sessions outside the group

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5. Attendance and Commitment

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Participants should:

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  • Attend all booked sessions where possible

  • Notify instructors in advance if unable to attend

  • Follow the Cancellation & Refund Policy

  • Be punctual and ready to start on time

  • Participate fully and engage with the learning

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6. Outside of Sessions

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Participants must:

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  • Use self-defence skills responsibly and only when necessary

  • Remember that techniques are for self-defence, not aggression

  • Represent Sensei Chelle Self Defence positively if discussing publicly

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Participants must NOT:

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  • Use techniques to harm, intimidate, or show off

  • Claim qualifications or expertise they do not have

  • Teach techniques to others without proper qualification

  • Bring the organisation into disrepute

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PART C: Code of Conduct for Parents and Guardians

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Parents and guardians of minors must:

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  • Support their child's participation positively

  • Provide accurate health and contact information

  • Respect instructors' professional expertise

  • Communicate concerns appropriately and respectfully

  • Arrive on time for drop-off and collection

  • Follow venue rules if observing sessions

  • Support the Code of Conduct and reinforce expectations at home

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Parents and guardians must NOT:

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  • Interfere with instruction or coaching during sessions

  • Criticise instructors, participants, or the organisation publicly

  • Use aggressive or abusive language towards anyone

  • Pressure their child to participate if unwell or unwilling

  • Approach other participants' children without parent/instructor present

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Breaches of the Code of Conduct

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Minor Breaches

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Examples: lateness, mobile phone use, minor disruption, inappropriate language

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Response:

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  • Verbal reminder of expectations

  • Informal discussion with instructor

  • Written warning if behaviour continues

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Serious Breaches

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Examples: bullying, discrimination, harassment, unsafe behaviour, safeguarding concerns

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Response:

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  • Immediate removal from session if safety at risk

  • Formal investigation under Complaints Procedure

  • Possible suspension pending investigation

  • Possible permanent exclusion

  • Referral to external agencies if appropriate (police, safeguarding)

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Gross Misconduct

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Examples: violence, sexual misconduct, serious safeguarding breach, criminal behaviour

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Response:

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  • Immediate suspension or dismissal (staff/instructors)

  • Immediate exclusion (participants)

  • Report to police and/or safeguarding authorities

  • No refund for excluded participants

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Reporting Concerns

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If you witness or experience a breach of this Code of Conduct:

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Minor concerns

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Serious concerns

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  • Report immediately to Sensei Chelle (Designated Safeguarding Lead)

  • Follow the Complaints Procedure

  • For safeguarding concerns, follow the Safeguarding Policy

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Urgent safety concerns

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  • Call 999 if immediate danger

  • Remove yourself or others from danger

  • Report to instructors and management immediately

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Support and Guidance

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  • All instructors and staff receive training on this Code of Conduct

  • Participants receive a summary at the start of courses

  • Parents/guardians of minors receive a copy with booking confirmation

  • The Code is available on our website and on request

  • Support is available if you need help understanding or following the Code

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Agreement and Acknowledgement

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By participating in Sensei Chelle Self Defence activities, you agree to:

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  • Read and understand this Code of Conduct

  • Follow the standards and expectations set out

  • Accept the consequences of breaching the Code

  • Support others in maintaining these standards

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Instructors and staff must sign an acknowledgement form confirming they have read, understood, and agree to follow this Code of Conduct.

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Review and Updates

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  • This Code of Conduct will be reviewed annually

  • Updates will be communicated to all instructors, staff, and participants

  • Feedback on the Code is welcomed and should be sent to info.senseichelle@gmail.com

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Last Updated: 23rd October 2025
Next Review Date: 23rd October 2026

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Related Policies: Safeguarding Policy, Equality & Diversity Policy, Health & Safety Policy, Complaints Procedure, Terms & Conditions

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